Operation: Happy is the heartwarming middle-grade story of Jody, her dog, and her family as Pearl Harbor survivors.

Operation: Happy by Jenni L. Walsh

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Family Life, Military Life, WWII, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and San Francisco

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My Summary of Operation: Happy:

Thanks #NetGalley @Zonderkidz for a complimentary e ARC of #OperationHappy upon my request. All opinions are my own.

It’s 1940 and Jody and her military family (including “Happy”) have just moved to a naval base in Hawaii where her dad is stationed. Jody enjoys the company of her dog, Happy, and works diligently on her top ten list of things she likes best about her new home. Jody’s mom is stressed and worried about the war being fought in Europe. One day, Pearl Harbor is attacked and Jody and her mom and sister are evacuated to San Francisco. The family misses Dad, Mom experiences depression, and Jody finds school a difficult adjustment. Out of desperation, Jody comes up with a plan to help her family.

My Thoughts:

Perspectives

Jody is a creative and optimistic girl who loves her dog and making top-ten lists. Because she is part of a military family, she moves around frequently. In each place, she makes a list of ten things she loves about her new home. When she find out that her dog is getting older and is slowing down, she makes a list of things that she can do with Happy that will bring him joy. Told mostly from Jody’s perspective, this story is enjoyable for middle-grade readers because we occasionally hear from Happy’s perspective! If you’ve ever had a loyal, protective dog, you will relate to Happy’s “thoughts and feelings.”

Note: Nothing tragic happens to the dog in this story!

Introduction to the Attack on Pearl Harbor

I love historical fiction for children because a story can introduce a difficult or complicated topic in a gentle way. This story will generate discussion and might inspire additional research.

Themes

Middle-grade literature is known for its themes of hope and family. This poignant story shows how a family can struggle when one of the parents has a job that requires long periods of separation or when one parent experiences a mental health challenge. The story also explores how children might feel responsible for the family and the ways they might assume responsibility for adult problems. Other relatable themes include friendship and bullying, I always love a hopeful ending and this is where middle-grade lit shines!

My Rating:  4  Stars

Meet the Author of Operation: Happy, Jenni L. Walsh

Jenni L. Walsh spends her days knee deep in words in Philadelphia’s suburbia. Beyond words, Jenni is a mama (of a soulful ten-year-old, a dinosaur-loving seven-year-old, and four needy furbabies), a wife, a Philly and ‘Nova sports fan.

For the kiddos, Jenni’s debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl’s Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the “female Paul Revere,” is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni’s first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Her newest novel, Operation: Happy, releases in spring 2024 and is inspired be a real-life Pearl Harbor survivor.

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QOTD:

Is this memorable middle-grade story on your TBR or have you read it?
Do you enjoy an occasional middle=grade read?

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